At $26,198/yr net price, Elizabethtown College graduates earn $62,399/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $28,399/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $26,198 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $104,792 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $62,399/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$28,399/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 77.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $17,946/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $19,414/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,711/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,608/yr |
| $110,001+ | $29,855/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other. | Master | $75,204 | |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $64,307 | $20,500 |
| Engineering, General. | Bachelor | $62,508 | $26,788 |
| Information Science/Studies. | Bachelor | $57,318 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $54,386 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $48,901 | $26,000 |
| International Business. | Bachelor | $46,673 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $41,441 | $27,000 |
| Criminology. | Bachelor | $39,592 | |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $38,289 | $26,000 |
The Risk Factor
77.1% of students at Elizabethtown College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 23% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Elizabethtown College gives you a solid but unspectacular financial return. You pay around $26,000 a year, come out with roughly $27,000 in debt, and earn about $62,000 ten years out. The 77% graduation rate and 84% retention rate matter here: you are likely to actually finish, which is the biggest financial risk at any private college. If you drop out, you carry the debt with none of the earnings, so this school's staying power works in your favor.
The engineering degree is where the money is. At $62,508, it earns nearly $14,000 more per year than international business, for roughly the same debt load. Information science and accounting also clear the median earnings and justify the cost. Business administration and international business sit at the bottom of the paying programs, and international business under $47,000 makes the private-college price hard to defend on earnings alone.
The specific risk here is program choice. Engineering pays off. the softer business tracks leave you with the same $26,000-27,000 debt but $15,000 less annual income. Pick the wrong major and the return flips from good to weak while the price stays the same.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $17,946, roughly $12,000 less than families over $110,000 at $29,855. That difference makes Elizabethtown a reasonable value if you qualify for aid and pick a high-earning major.
This school fits you if you plan to study engineering, information science, or accounting and you land in a lower income tier. If you are paying the top-tier price near $30,000 to study international business, look harder at cheaper options before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elizabethtown College worth the money?
Elizabethtown College graduates earn a median of $62,399 ten years after graduation, which is reasonable given the $26,198 annual net price. However, this return varies significantly by major, with business programs offering much stronger financial outcomes than other fields.
What are the best paying majors at Elizabethtown College?
Business, management, and marketing programs at Elizabethtown College lead to median earnings of $75,204, making them the strongest ROI choice. Engineering and rehabilitation programs also perform well, while information science and accounting majors earn considerably less.
How much debt do Elizabethtown College students graduate with?
The median debt for Elizabethtown College graduates is $27,000, which is manageable relative to typical starting salaries. With a 77% graduation rate, most students do complete their degrees, though nearly one in four do not finish.
Does Elizabethtown College have good financial aid?
Elizabethtown College's net price of $26,198 represents a significant discount from the sticker price, indicating substantial financial aid. The relatively moderate debt levels suggest the aid packages are realistic for most families.